What Family Hubs Do

Family Hubs are welcoming places where families can get a wide range of advice and support, all in one place. They support families with children from birth up to age 19, and up to age 25 for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Family Hubs offer support with everyday things like health, education, parenting, and emotional well-being. They focus especially on helping young children develop and thrive. Families can take part in activities that help children learn, stay healthy, and grow with confidence.

How Families Benefit

• Easy Access: Families can find many services in one place, or be connected to the right support nearby.
• All-Round Support: Hubs offer help with a range of needs, not just one issue.
• Better Results: When services work together, children and families are more likely to do well.

Family Hubs are safe and supportive spaces where families get the help they need to grow stronger, and where children have the best chance to succeed in life.

Where are the Family Hubs?

We have centres across the whole of Bedford:

• Queens Park Family Hub, Marlborough Road, MK40 4LE
• Pine Cones Family Hub, Slade Walk, MK41

• Central Family Hub, 30 Allhallows MK40 1LN

• Daisy Hill Family Hub, Hillgrounds Road MK42 8QH

• Cherry Trees Family Hub, Hawkins Road MK42 9LS

• Eastcotts Family Hub, 65 Beauvais Square, Shortstown MK42 0GG

We also have regular drop in sessions running at our Pop Up locations:

• Wixams Pop Up - Lakeview Village Hall, Brooklands Avenue, Wixams MK42 6AB

• Wootton Pop Up - Wootton Community Centre, Harris Way MK42 9FZ

• Goldington Pop Up - St Mary's Church Hall, Church Lane, Goldington MK41 0AN

• Thurleigh Pop Up - Thurleigh Village Hall, High Street, Thurleigh MK44 2DB

What happens at a Family Hub?

We have a full timetable for 0-5 year olds and we are working hard to introduce activities for older children. Most of our sessions are free or low cost and many are drop in, so there is no need to book. Find out what’s on in Bedford Borough on our Family Hubs Website.

We also offer bookable activities, workshops and courses for families, children and young people aged 0-19 (or 25 with SEND) and these can be booked on our Eventbrite page.

You can find regular updates on things to do, information and ideas to help families in the local area on our Family Hubsand by signing up to receive our half-termly newsletter straight to your inbox.

Activities and services running from the Family Hubs:

• Play, learn and exploration activities for babies and children aged 0-11.
• Workshops and short courses to help you with all aspects of parenting and supporting your child’s development such as toilet training, feeding and understanding behaviour.
• Well-being and mental health support for children, young people and adults.
• Support for parents who are breastfeeding and want to meet others and have the chance to ask for advice.
• Dads' and family groups at the weekend.
• Quiet sessions and support groups for children with SEND.
• Baby Massage and Baby Yoga to help you bond with baby.
• Help and advice with the everyday challenges as a parent.

Find out more on Family Hubs - Best Start Bedford.

How can I get in touch?

You can email us for more information on familyhubs@bedford.gov.uk or send us a message via our Family Hubs Facebook or Instagram pages and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

If you’d like to speak to someone please call us on 0300 323 0245 (8.30am-4.30pm Monday-Friday) or the Family Information service on 0800 023 2057 (open Monday-Friday 9-4pm with a 24 hour answerphone service).